Bottom timer

[blawler1]

The Timex Helix Dive watch has two dive functions, including a dive track mode which records dive time down to fractions of seconds and has all the functions of a bottom timer. It displays depth and records max depth, water temperature and actual time in smaller but easy to read displays, and displays the running dive time in a large and very easy to read display, much larger than either my Mares or my wife's mosquito. After getting this, I basically stopped wearing my computer except for special circumstances. As I only carry a mini pressure gauge for a console, I do usually stick a loose depth gauge in my pocket as I have had computers/dive watches fail during dives.

I don't know if the Helix dive model is currently in production, but you can find probably find one out on Ebay for $50 or so.

 

[limeyx]

Hmmm, well, she started out with a Cobra (but now can NOT be bothered to have such a rule 6 violation anywhere near her!) so that one is out -- and it doesn't show seconds so her 1 minute stop might be as long as, wait, 92 seconds!

Then she got a Mosquito -- NOT a rule 6 violation but she won't use the "cheesy" magnifyer and yes, it doesn't show seconds either so again, it may not be precisely 60 seconds!

OK, then she got a dive watch which SHOWS seconds so her stops were "spot on" BUT now she finds out the band won't fit over her dry suit. Now SOME people might say, get a bigger band or come up with an extender, but, hmmm, nope -- MUST GET ANOTHER TOY!

Wives, can't live with 'em, .......

Replace the watch strap with bungee -- will fit any wrist, and is clearly going to giuve her extra rule6 points for looking more like a tech diver.

And the minutes/seconds part really isn't *that* bad -- it only really affects your initial stop (where you might have to wait for the time to tick over). After that, you are on a schedule minute to minute to get out of the water.

 

[limeyx]

I use a suunto vyper in gauge mode and a oms bottom timer. The bottom timer is easier to read but i like to download my dives.

The DeepSeaSupply bungie holders are the answer to not fitting properly. You just put the right size piece of bungie on.

http://www.deepseasupply.com

http://www.sealevelscuba.net/ He had a great deal on the bottom timers a week ago.

Good luck.

But the Vyper does not display seconds. Which was one of the requirements listed.

 

[TSandM]

Unfortunately, the $20 watch I bought doesn't have any reasonable way to convert to bungee, or I would have done it already.

Sounds like I need to start haunting e-bay for a Helix. Appears it would solve all my problems.

 

[amascuba]

But the Vyper does not display seconds. Which was one of the requirements listed.

The OMS Bottom Timer is the same thing as the Uwatec Bottom Timer, but with a different name on it. It doesn't do seconds either.

 

[spectrum]

Unfortunately, the $20 watch I bought doesn't have any reasonable way to convert to bungee, or I would have done it already.

Sounds like I need to start haunting e-bay for a Helix. Appears it would solve all my problems.

Just go to Wally World and get some elastic strap material in the fabric department. I tihnk they even have it in black

I used that stuff to sew some staps for our Helix DMs, Remove the OEM band and just pass it under the standard pins. I just made a short loop that ran pin to pin and tie wrapped it to the base of my console. The Helix band is uselessly short.

Pete

 

[Dan Gibson]

Have you looked at the Waterborn (I believe that's the name) straps? Dive-Xtras used to sell them. It might be to wide for your watch, but it's worth taking a look since they will fit over any drysuit.

Unfortunately, the $20 watch I bought doesn't have any reasonable way to convert to bungee, or I would have done it already.

Sounds like I need to start haunting e-bay for a Helix. Appears it would solve all my problems.

 

[limeyx]

Unfortunately, the $20 watch I bought doesn't have any reasonable way to convert to bungee, or I would have done it already.

Sounds like I need to start haunting e-bay for a Helix. Appears it would solve all my problems.

You cant burn some holes in the strap and thread bungee through them?

 

[StSomewhere]

I'm late to the party, as usual... (sigh)

My Vytec in gauge mode (no AI transmitter) exactly meets your requirements. For what I use it for, its also horribly overpriced. OTOH, it has an excellent stopwatch feature for timing stops.

If I were in the market, I'd probably look at the Aladin Tec Wristmount from Uwatec. I've seen a dive buddy's, its very nice in gauge mode, the numbers are visible, the download doesn't require a cable, and its even got a depth averaging function (which does require a minor workaround if you stop to do s-drills at 20' before a dive).

Edit: Based on what Vie says below , Tobin's Uwatec bottom timer bungee mount also works for the Aladin Tec, and he will punch a hole for the infrared window for uploading profiles to your computer (or you could DIY but I'd have Tobin do it, his quality is amazing).

 

[Vie]

Based on something I read on TDS, Tobin's Uwatec bottom timer bungee mount either works for the Aladin Tec or he has a special version specific to that dive computer.

Tobin's elastomeric mount for UWATEC BT will fit the Aladin Tec perfectly - you can request that DSS punch a hole on the right side for the IrDA window if you plan to put an Aladin Tec in the mount. There is no special version.

http://www.deepseasupply.com/page19.html